License plate and mounting therefor



Dec. 22, 1942. J. E. yoKATY LICENSE PLATE AND MOUNTING THEREFOR Filed Sept. 12, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l Jose P11 EI. Vokaj Dec. 22, 1942. J. a voKA'rY LICENSE PLATE AND MOUNTING THEREFOR Filed Sept. 12, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 L7 Ji Patented Dec. 22, 1942 Joseph E. Vokaty, Minneapol'sllliinn.; assignor of one-half to Herbert H.- Hoar, Glencoe, Minn.

Application september 12, 19ssseriaiNo- 229,541

\ 9 Claims.

ing therefor and has more especial reference to an automotive vehicle license plate and a mounting structure for retaining such license plate.

An object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved mounting structure fora plate,

such, for example, as a vehicle license plate, adapted to permanently to retain the plate in unique manner.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a mounting structure and a plate structure adapted to be associated or assembled together by causing a plurality of resilient ratchet elements or locking members of one of said (Cl. V10-133) `This invention relates to a plate and a mount- 1 spirit er the of the invention the claims which follow.`

and the scope of In the accompanying drawings forming a part ofthis specification, Fig. 1 is a front elevational View of an automotive vehicle license plate and a mounting structure with which said plate is associated; Fig. 2 is al detail sectional view taken on line 2-2inFig.1;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation view of the mounting structure as seen from-the' right in Fig. 1;

Figs. 4, 5 and `6 are perspective views of parts of `the mounting structure` disassembled;

Fig.` 'Tis a longitudinal sectional view in detail structures to be slid over a plurality of ratchet l5 taken 0u line 'l-l in Fig. 1; elements or locking members of the other of Fig. 8 isv a perspective VieW 0f the Vehicle said structures in such manner that ratchet elelicense plate Structure; ments or locking members of said structures will "Fig- 9 iS a diagrammatieal SeCtiOnal View 0f interlockingly engage each other andthe mountthe license plate structure taken on line 9 9 ing structure will permanently retain the plate in Fig- 8; and' structure against possibility of its removal by re- Fig 10 iS a Perspective View 0f the mOunting versal of operations carried out to assemble or StruCtllre With its COVeI'memb-er TemOVedassociate said structures with each other. The 'murltmg Structure. designated in itS i A further object 0f the invention is t9 proentirety by the reference letter A, is of general vide a construction 0f the present nature, Where- 25 rectilinear conformation. It includes a back in a plate structure of relatively non-flexible member l5 With e Complete marginal flange l5, material is adapted t0 be permanently assoa; frame member Il with a complete marginal ciated with a mounting structure therefor, and, vlehge lslitted Over and suitably Secured. aS by wherein seid plete structure win be assemblea Spot Welding 0r Otherwise, to the marginal flange with the mounting Structure by the bending or I6` of the back member I5, and a cover member exing of resilient elements on said mounting I9 with a marginal ange 20 tted over and suitstructure and will be retained in or upon said ably secured, as by spot welding or otherwise, mounting structure by the exible elements tothe marginal ange I8 of the frame member4 thereof. I1. The cover member I9 is parallel with and Another object of the invention is to provide Slightly spaced from the frame member Il and a novel an improved vehicle license plate structhe marginal bange 2 of Said COVer member 9 ture, l l lextends along the marginal flange I8 of the And a further Object of the invention is o frame member I1 at both sides and one end of provide an assembly comprising an automotive Sad marginal abge s Sad Cover member 9 vehicle licence plate of frangible material and 40 having no flange Portion at its other endmounting structure for the plate, wherein the Ratber, the frame member l and the @over Whole is designed so that said plate can be disy member "9 With portions of the marginal bange associated from said mounting structure only 20 between Sad frame member and Sad @0l/'er upon the fracturing and fragmentizing of the member, provide a rectilinear channel or way 2l license platel of relatively narrow depth and comparatively With the above objects in' View, as Well as greater width dened by the lower surface of the others which will appear as the specification cover member 9 tbebpper surface of the frame proceeds, the invention comprises the construcmember l and the mbar Surfaces of the martion, arrangement and combination of parts as gnal bange 2 at the Sides and one and 0f the now to be fully described and as hereinafter to mounting Structure A the end 22 of the Chanbe specifically claimed, it being understood that nel or Way 2| boing 0Penthe disclosure herein is merely illustrative and The Width 0f the Channel 01 Way 2l in the intended in no way in a limiting sense, changes mounting Structure A iS Substantially equal t0, in details of construction and Yarrangement of or a trifle greater than the width of a plate, a parts being permissible so long las within the vel'iiole license plate structure 23, preferably translucent, to be inserted into said channel or way 2| through its open end 22.

The back member I5 is solid, while the frame member |1 has a central cut-out 24 therein. The cover member I9 has a central rectangular cut-out 25, which registers with said cut-out 24 in said frame member l1. The plate structure, or license plate 23, when in place in the'channel or space 2|, is visible through the cut-out 25. Said cut-out 24 permits the passage of light through the license plate, and lamps 2B Within the box-like mounting structure, provided by the back member l5 and the frame member l1, will, when lighted, render the license plate 23 more readily visible.

Suitably secured to each side rail of the frame member |1, as by spot welding or otherwise, is 1a locking strip 21 Which carries a number `of obliquely disposed resilient ratchet elements or locking members 28. As shown, each ratchet element or locking member 28 consists `of a tongue-like portion struck from its respective strip Z1, each such portion extending robliquely -in the direction of the closed end of the channel or space 2| and being lof .such length that, unrestrained, it will bear resiliently at 'its extremity against the inner face .of the cover member I9.

The plate structure, or vehicle license plate 23, desirably consists of a plurality of layers 30 of any suitable thin material, such :as paper stock bonded together `face to face with a `resinous,` material under heat and pressure, and constituting a translucent and relatively non-flexible selfsustaining sheet that is frangible .and readily broken into fragments upon being struck ordistorted. Indicia 3| are incorporated in the license plate 23 between layers 30 thereof during fabrication of the plate structure and may consist of printing applied to one of the layers 30. Each individual layer 30 of the plate structure 23 will be relatively transparent and the layer or layers between ythe indicia 3| and the front face of said plate will be suniciently transparent to render said indicia clearly visible to an observer of said face of said plate.

Each marginal portion of the license plate structure 23 is provided with ratchet elements or locking members 32 for cooperation With the ratchet elements or locking members 28 upon the locking strip 21 at the corresponding side of the mounting structure A. As disclosed, said ratchet elements or locking members 32 are provided by forming in said license plate structure, through the layers thereof, rectangular holes or slots, 'although each such ratchet elements or locking members could consist of recesses in or raised portions upon the rear or inner side of the license plate structure. The rectangular .holes or slots formed in the license plate structure at either marginal portion thereof correspond Vin number and in relative `disposition to the number and relative disposition of the ratchet elements or `locking members 28 upon the locking strip 21 at the corresponding side of the mounting structure and, as shown, the holes or slots in the plate 23 freely receive the extremities'of the resilient tongue-like elements or locking `members .2S upon the locking strips 21.

The license plate 23 is slidable into the open end 22 oi the channel or way 2| in the mounting structure A, said plate being adapted to be advanced over the resilient ratchet elements or locking members 2B and to be passed between them and the inner surface .of the-cover -member |9, said elements or members 23, in such case, being depressed as the plate 23 is advanced or moved along. When the leading edge of the license plate structure 23 has reached the closed end of the channel or way 2|, the extremities oi the resilient tongue-like ratchet elements or locking members 28 are received in their respective openings or slots in the plate 23 and engage back of the shoulders formed by the leading walls of said openings or slots. Thus, the engagement of ratchet elements or members 32 upon the plate structure 23 with the ratchet elements or members 28 upon the locking strips 21 of 'the mounting structure preclude any possibility of removal of the plate 23, intact, from the mounting structure A. In addition to locking the plate 23 in its assembled relation within the mounting structure A, the tongue-like ratchet elements or locking members 28 operate yieldingly to hold said plate 23 against the inner face lof the cover member I9.

Assisting in holding the plate 23 against the cover member |9 are a number of resilient guard tongues 33 which are struck up from the locking strips 21 into oblique positions, the sloping of such tongues 33 being in .opposition to that of the tongue-like ratchet elements or locking members 28 yand in a direction toward the open end 22 of the channel or space 2|. The extremities `oi said guard tongues 33 yieldingly bear against the inner face of the license plate structure 23 and effectively augment the action of said ratchet elements or locking members 428 in holding the plate 23 against the cover member I9. These guard tongues 33 are greater in width than the length of the holes Vor slots which provide the ratchetng elements 0r locking members V32 on the plate 23, whereby it is only necessary to depress said tongues 33 ahead of the leading edge of the plate 23 when .said plate is being `advanced into its assembled relationship in the mounting structure A. Such depression of the' tongues 33 is yreadily vaccomplished at such time by means of a screw driver or other simple tool which can be readily applied to said tongues 33 as the plate23 is advanced. In this connection, it is to be noted -that the tongues 33 upon the one locking strip 21 are staggered relative to the tongues 33 upon theother locking strip 21, such staggered relation of the tongues 33 causing the leading edge of the plate 23 to encounter but one of said tongues 33 at a time. The principal function of the guard tongues 33 is to prevent the depression of the tongue-like ratchet elements or locking members 28 after the license plate structure 23 is assembled with the mounting structure therefor. Said guard tongues 33,

,sloping toward the open end of the mounting structure, prevent the insertion of thin strips or other instruments into said end of said structure and .between the locking strips 21 and plate 23 for the purpose of vdepressing and releasing said ratchet elements or .locking members 28 from the ratchet elements or locking members 32 of the license plate structure. This function of said guard tongues 33 is important, since the desideratum is that vthe plate 23, once assembled with the mounting structure, shall not be disassembled therefrom short of the complete fragmentation and consequent destruction of said plate.

vA reinforcing flange 34 is suitably secured to the inside of the back Lmember I5, transversely thereof, substantially at its mid-length. This -flange '34 not only `reinforces the mounting structure, but it is of such height that it supports the 1i- `hicles. The plate 23 will sockets 35 are adapted to be inserted into the I.

mounting structure through end openings 36 in the ange I8 of the frame member I1A and snapped into place in socket receiving ferrules 31 secured to said ilange I8. The flange at the closed end of the cover member I9 is formed f with an opening 38 which registers with the corresponding end opening 36 in the flange I8 of said frame member I "I, said opening 38 serving to admit a lamp 26 and socket 35 to said opening 36. l

'I'he mounting structure A can be permanently secured upon a vehicle frame or other support in any convenient manner which will situate the open end 22 of the channel or space 2| in position to receive the plate structure.

Although the present invention may have different uses, it is, as above indicated, particularly adapted to use for the identiiication of motor vebe relatively light in Weight permitting of ready and relatively inexpensive transportation in the mails from the issuing source to the authorized user. The users `mounting structure will be readily permanently secured to his vehicle and the license plate will be readily applied to mounting structure, simply by inserting the plate structure thereinto. The indicia incorporated between laminations of the translucent plate will be readily visible by day 'and by night and especially so at night by reason of the illumination provided within the mounting structure. Such indicia will `be protected against alteration and will also be protected lagainst being rendered illegible by the action of climatic conditions. The license plate, though frangible and subject to being fragmentized with intent so to do, will be relatively durable and remain intact under all ordinary conditions. When said plate has served its purpose, it will be readily broken and removed in fragments from themounting structure to permit the substitution therefor of a then currently suitable plate. The license plate, once assembled in` its mounting structure, will not be available for assembly with any other Amounting structure and, therefore, cannot be used to identify `any vehicle other than the one to which it may be originally applied.

Having described my invention, what I claim astnew and desire to protect by Letters Paten is:

1. A plate and a mounting structure therefor providing a channel closed at one end and open at the other end for the edgewise reception of the plate, said channel including relatively spaced walls sheathing the marginal side portions of the plate, one such portion of said plate having slots therein, resilient tongue-like locking elements mounted upon one of said walls and sloping in the direction of the closed end of said channel, said elements being adapted interlockingly to engage in the slots in the plate and preclude the retraction of said plate from said channel, resilient guard tongues mounted on said last mentioned wall and sloping in the direction of said open end of said channel to protect said locking elements against dislodgement from said slots in said plate, said guard tongues engaging said plate and yieldingly holding it against the opposing channel wall, said plate being of frangible material andadapted to be broken into fragments for removal from the mounting structure.

2. A plate and a mounting structure therefor providing a channel closed at one end and open at the other end for the edgewise reception of the plate, said channel including relatively spaced walls sheathing the marginal side portions of the plate, such portions of said plate having slots therein, resilient tongue-like locking elements mounted upo-n one of said Walls and sloping in the direction of the closed end of said channel, saidv elements being adapted interlockingly to engage inthe slots in the plate and preclude the retraction of said plate from said channel, resilient guard tongues mounted on said last mentioned Wall and sloping in the direction of said open end of said channel to protect the locking elements against dislodgement from the slots in the plate, said locking elements and guardtongues bearing against said plate and yieldingly holding it against the opposing channel wall.

3. A plate and a mounting structure therefor providing a channel closed at one end and open at the other end for the edgewise reception of the plate, said channel including relatively spaced walls sheathing the marginal side portions of the plate, one such portion of said plate having slots therein, resilient tongue-like locking elements mounted upon one of said walls and sloping in the direction of the closed end of said channel, said elements being adapted interlockingly to engage in the slots in the plate and preclude the retraction of said plate from said channel, resilient guard tongues mounted on said last mentioned wall and sloping in the direction of said open end of said channel to protect the locking elements against dislodgement from the slots in the plate, said guard tongues being nonregisterable with said slots, said plate being frangible and required to be broken into fragments for removal from the mounting structure.

4. A plate, a mounting structure providing a channel closed at one end and open at the other end for the edgewise reception of the plate, said channel including relatively spaced Walls sheathing the marginal side portions of the plate, such portions cf said plate having slots therein, resilient tongue-like locking elements at both sides of the channel mounted upon one of said Walls and sloping in the direction of the closed end of said channel, said elements being adapted interlockingly to engage in the slots in the plate and preclude the retraction of said plate from said channel, resilient guard tongues at both sides of the channel mounted on said last mentioned wall and sloping in the direction oi said open end of said `channel to protect the locking elements against dislodgement from the slots in the plate, said guard tongues at the opposite sides of said channel being relatively staggered longitudinally of said channel and non-registerable with said slots in said plate, said plate being of frangible material and adapted to be broken into fragments for removal from the mounting structure.

5. A plate of translucent material carrying indicia upon the body thereof, a box-like mounting structure for the plate, said structure being open at one side thereof and providing at such side a channel open at one end for the edgewise reception of said plate, said channel including relatively spaced inner and outer walls sheathing the marginal side portions of the plate but unobstructing the body thereof, each of such portions of the plate having therein a succession of slots distributed therealong, resilient locking elements mounted upon said inner Wall, said elements being adapted interlockingly to engage in the slots in the plate and preclude the retraction of said plate from said channel, a lamp within the mounting structure for illuminating the plate, guard means for preventing access to said locking elements from said open end of said channel, said guard means including a partitioning member in said box-like mounting structure, such member serving to reinforce the mounting structure and also the plate, said plate being frangible and adapted to be broken into fragments for removal from the mounting structure, the breaking of the plate at the localities of the locking elements for the disengagement of said plate from said elements and the breaking of the plate at the body thereof for destruction of the indicia thereon being facilitated by the slots in the marginal side portions of said plate.

6h A plate having indicia borne thereby and visibly displayed at the front face of the body of said plate, a mounting structure providing a channel for the edgewise reception of the plate, said channel including relatively spaced front and rear Walls sheathing the marginal side portions of the plate but unobstructing said face of the body of the plate, one of said marginal side portions having at the rear of the plate a suc- -cession of ratcheting recesses, the same being distributed along substantially the entire length of said marginal side portion, resilient ratcheting elements mounted upon said rear Wall and adapted interlockingly to engage in the recesses in the plate and preclude the retraction of said plate from said channel, said plate being frangible and not only adapted'but required to be broken into fragments for removal from the mounting structure, the breaking of the plate at the localities of the resilient ratcheting elements to permit the disengagement of the plate from said elements and at the body of the plate for destruction of the indicia thereon being facilitated by said recesses in said marginal side 'portion of said plate.

'7. A plate having indicia borne thereby and visibly displayed at the front face of the body of said plate, a mounting structure providing a channel for the edgevvise reception vof the plate,

- said channel including relatively spaced front and rear Walls sheathing the marginal side portions of the plate, but unobstructing said face of the body of said plate, each of said marginal side portions of the plate having therein a succession of slots distributed along substantially the entire length thereof, resilient ratcheting tongues mounted upon said rear Wall and adapted inter- "n lockingly to engage in the slots in the plate and preclude the retraction of said plate from said channel, said plate being frangible and not only adapted but required to be broken into fragments for removal from the mounting structure, the breaking of the plate at the localities of the ratcheting tongues to permit the disengagement of the plate from said tongues and at the body of the plate for destruction of the indicia thereon being facilitated by said slots in said marginal side portions of said plate.

8. A plate having indicia thereon, a mounting structure providing a channel for the edgewise reception of the plate, said channel including relatively spaced front and rear Walls sheathing the opposed marginal side portions of the plate but unobstructing said face of said body of the plate, each of said marginal side portions of the plate having therein a succession of slots distributed along substantially the entire length thereof, the slots in said opposed marginal side portions being relatively staggered lengthwise of the plate, resilient ratcheting tongues mounted upon said rear Wall and adapted interlockingly to engage in the slots in the plate and preclude the retraction of said plate from said channel, said plate being frangible and not only adapted but required to be broken into fragments for removal from the mounting structure, the breaking of the plate at the localities of the ratcheting tongues to permit the disengagement of the plate from said tongues and at the body of the plate for destruction of the indicia thereon being facilitated by said slots in said marginal side portions of said plate.

9. A plate of translucent material carrying indicia upon the body thereof, a box-like mounting structure for the plate, said structure being open at one side thereof and providing at such side a channel closed at one end and open at the other end for the edgevvise reception of said plate, said channel including relatively spaced Walls sheathing the opposed marginal side portions of the plate, but unobstructing the body thereof, each of such portions of the plate having therein a succession of slots distributed along substantially the entire length thereof, the slots in said .opposed marginal side portions being relatively staggered lengthwise of the plate, resilient tongue-like locking elements mounted upon one of said walls and sloping in the direction of the closed end ofV said channel, said elements being `adapted interlockingly to engage in the slots in `the plate and preclude the retraction of said plate from said channel, a lamp Within the mounting structure for illuminatingv the plate, said plate being frangible and adapted to be broken into fragments for removal from the mounting structure, the breaking of the plate at the localities of the locking elements for disengagement of said plate from said elements and the breaking .of the plate at the body thereof for destruction of the indicia thereon being facililtated by the slots in the marginal side portions of said plate.

JOSEPH E. VOKATY. 

